Our terms: We reserve the right to edit or delete any comment, so please post thoughtfully. We use your email address only to send you a one-time verification message confirming that you posted this comment. We also store your address to allow you to verify using other Web browsers in the future. For more info, see our privacy policy.

ExtraBITS for 23 September 2013

Defying the rumormongers’ drivel, the new iPhone 5s and 5c are a smashing success. Less successful are the Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the iPhone 5s and the iOS 7 Lock screen, both of which have already been defeated by hackers. Before you head to the Apple Store for your new iPhone, be sure to read J. K. Appleseed’s brilliant inside look at being an Apple Genius. Finally, our own Tonya Engst appeared alongside Andy Ihnatko, Mike Elgan, and Rene Ritchie on MacBreak Weekly to discuss iOS 7 and the new iPhones.

iPhone 5s and 5c Sales Top Nine Million -- Put rumors of lagging iPhone sales to rest — Apple has announced that it has sold over nine million of the new models in just three days. It’s the biggest iPhone launch yet, nearly doubling iPhone 5 launch weekend sales of five million. Also, more than 200 million iOS devices are now running iOS 7, which is double the number of devices upgraded to iOS 6 over the same period a year ago and perhaps as much as 60 percent of the currently installed base.

Touch ID Already Defeated -- The Chaos Computer Club has reportedly figured out how to defeat Touch ID, the fingerprint scanner in the iPhone 5s, with a fake finger. The method involves taking a 2400 dpi picture of an approved fingerprint, laser printing the image with a thick toner setting, and smearing latex on top to create a mold. Starbug, the hacker who performed the tests, said that the main difference between Apple’s sensor and others is that Apple’s has a higher resolution.

Gonzo Tales from the Apple Store -- At McSweeney’s, the pseudonymous “J. K. Appleseed,” an Apple Genius, shares insider tales from the Apple Store, including training the elderly, comparing the Genius Bar to The Wall from “Game of Thrones,” and even a fist fight. Along the way, Appleseed drops interesting Apple Store trivia. Did you know that each glass step in an Apple Store costs over $35,000 to install?

Lock Screen Vulnerability Found in iOS 7 -- In iOS 7.0, a vulnerability has been discovered that allows anyone to bypass the Lock screen passcode. Swipe up from the bottom to access Control Center, then open the Clock app. Then hold the Sleep/Wake button until the option to power off the phone comes up. Tap Cancel, then quickly double-press the Home button, which brings up the multitasking screen, providing access to most open apps. Oops! To eliminate the problem for now, just disable Control Center on the Lock screen in
Settings > Control Center. An Apple spokesperson said the company is working on a fix.